A comprehensive classification system for lipids

• DOI: 10.1002/ejlt.200405001
• Publication Date: 2005-05-27T12:20:10Z
• Authors: Eoin Fahy; Shankar Subramaniam; H. Alex Brown; Christopher K. Glass; Alfred H. Merrill; Robert C. Murphy; Christian R. H. R...; David W. Russell; Yousuke Seyama; Walter Shaw; Takao Shimizu; Friedrich Spener; Gerrit van Meer; Michael S. VanNie...; Stephen H. White; Joseph L. Witztum; Edward A. Dennis
• Keywords: Sphingolipid

Abstract Lipids are produced, transported, and recognized by the concerted actions of numerous enzymes, binding proteins, receptors. A comprehensive analysis lipid molecules, “lipidomics,” in context genomics proteomics is crucial to understanding cellular physiology pathology; consequently, biology has become a major research target postgenomic revolution systems biology. To facilitate international communication about lipids, classification lipids with common platform that compatible informatics requirements been developed deal massive amounts data will be generated our community. As an initial step this development, we divide into eight categories (fatty acyls, glycerolipids, glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, sterol prenol saccharolipids, polyketides) containing distinct classes subclasses devise manner representing chemical structures individual their derivatives, provide 12 digit identifier for each unique molecule. The scheme chemically based driven hydrophobic hydrophilic elements compose lipid. This structured vocabulary systematization enable cataloging properties way other macromolecular databases.[Reprinted copyright permission from Journal Lipid Research. 2005. 46: 839–861.]